Portraits [On Hold]

Chapter 1- Introduction

Important: This chapter happens in present tense because I wanted to write June's thoughts in that exact moment. However, the rest of the story will be in past tense. Hope this clears up any confusion.

Important #2: I found out how to write the dialogue properly when I was already on like chapter 18 of this story so forgive me for all the dialogue punctuation errors. I am aware of it now & I will edit all of it as soon as I find enough time to edit my entire story (': I did edit the first 3 chapters I think but please just bear with me on that one hahah.

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I walk inside the coffee shop, awkwardly struggling to close my umbrella without sprinkling water on the people around me. After what seems like an eternity, I manage to finally close it and put it back in my bag. I walk up to the counter and am greeted by Jack—one of the cashiers working here.

"Oh, hey, June!" He says, a warm smile on his face.

"What's up, Jack?"

"Same old. We got a new machine, though. Are you willing to be our first costumer to try it out?" He begins wiggling his eyebrows at me, clearly excited about their newest addition to the shop.

"Hey, turning down an offer to make my coffee even more extraordinary would just be nonsensical now, wouldn't it?" I joke, and he chuckles.

"And this is why you're my favorite costumer," he says, and I place a hand over my heart to show him I'm flattered.

"Wow, I'm so honored," I say dramatically, and he rolls his eyes playfully at me.

"So, the usual?" He asks, preparing himself to type in my order into the cash register.

"You know it," I reply.

"It would be shameful if I didn't. This place is practically like your second home," he teases, causing me to reply with a light laugh.

"Alright, a small lavender coffee will be at your table in just a few minutes." I give him the money and then walk back to the corner table by the window, comfortably sitting down at my usual spot.

I still remember the first time I came to this place. I'd ordered a mocha coffee because that'd always been my favorite, but I soon found out the mocha coffee here does not taste as good as the rest.

Thankfully, my mother ordered a lavender coffee that day and gave me some to try. It was almost like heaven in a cup. Ever since then, I haven't had anything else.

As I wait for my coffee, I stare out the window, noticing all the raindrops racing down it. After a few seconds, I decide to pull out my notebook and a pencil. I let a smile onto my face when my eyes fall upon all the doodles drawn inside it, giving me a feeling of satisfaction. There are so many of them—a clear sign that part of me is still a kid at heart.

This notebook is where I allow my imagination to explode. If it wasn't because my name is written in big bold letters at the front, I would think this belongs to a child. All the drawings are cartoony-looking and I've designed it to look like a huge world of funny things. It's quite entertaining to look at, always finding old hidden doodles that I'd forgotten about in the midst of all the other doodles.

Suddenly, I'm snapped out of my reverie by the sweet smell of lavender coffee. I turn my head and see Jack making his way over to me. I smile when he finally sets the coffee down on my table and thank him.